LETTERS 



ON 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



LETTER L 



" Then stryed the fervid wheels, and in his hand 



H* took the golden compasses, prepared 



In God's eternal store to ciremnyribe 



This universe, and all created things : 



One foot he ci-nt'red and the other turn'd 



Round thro' the vast profundity ob.scure ; 



And said : Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 



This be ihy just circumference, O world." 



MlITOX. 

 DEAR SIR, 



I AM much pleased to find (hat you are actuated by 

 n spirit of enquiry, which, at so early a period of your 

 life does you the highest hrmor, and is a proof of the 

 goodness of your understanding. In youth, a desire 

 of information on subjects curious and interesting is 

 the characteristic of the great mind, and announces, 

 tit some future period, the great man ; while an mi- 

 thinking apathy, and stupid indifference, with respect 

 to the nature of those scenes, in the midst of which 

 we are placed, are unequivocal signs of a vulgar .and 

 groveling intellect. Curiosity indeed is a principle so 

 radically inherent in the human mind, and so uni- 

 versally prevalent, that it is chiefly from the objects to 

 which it attaches itself, that the measure of the under- 

 standing is to be estimated : yours I am happy to say 

 has taken a right direction. You desire >some ac- 

 quaintance with -Natural History, some knowledge of 

 this world of wonders in which, by the gracious dis- 

 pensations of a benevolent Providence, you see your- 

 self placed. Be assured that, in so commendable a 

 pursuit, I shall esteem myself happy to contribute to 

 your satisfaction by my assistance. 



